Midwest Research Institute (MRI) has received a contract for Phase IIa of Individual Protection Ensemble Mannequin System (IPEMS) from the Joint Program Executive Office-Chemical Biological Defense. IPEMS involves fabrication and start-up of a first-of-its-kind test facility capable of performing environmentally controlled testing on an individual protection ensemble under live chemical agent exposure conditions. IPEMS features a chemical agent test facility and a free-standing, self-balancing robot that simulates human physiology. The mannequin will be dressed in an IPE for testing under various environmental conditions in the presence of chemical agents. Phase I was completed in March and included system design. Phase II includes the procurement, fabrication, assembly, building renovation, installation, testing, and operator training of the system as well as software development and preparation of operation procedures. MRI’s partners on the project include Boston Dynamics, Measurement Technology Northwest, Sensor Research and Development Corp., Smith Carter CUH2A, and HHI Corp.